The world around us is changing... This doesn't just translate into climate change and the transformation of some of our favourite anchorages, but also our way of sailing and the way that we perceive ownership.

Let me take you back...

Until the middle of the 20th century, sailing was called "yachting", and was the preserve of an elite few who belonged to the upper social classes. In short, only the well-off could afford to go sailing for pleasure, whilst others went out to sea to feed themselves. The opening up of the sailing world began in the early sixties. The advent of production line boats that were easier to manage and sail, and which were most importantly cheaper, opened up the pleasures of sailing to whole swathes of the population. Big races such as the OSTAR and then the Route du Rhum were responsible for a generation of youngsters dreaming about sailing and then cutting their teeth on Optimists, 420s and then Hobie 16s...
The 70s welcomed a new generation of long haired sailors who wanted to see the world. For them, a boat was a practical and economical way for them to fulfill their dream. They ploughed the furrow which is still followed by today's round the world sailors, and even today they have a similar outlook, hoping to meet new people and taking the time to enjoy their dream!
Over 40 years the profile of typical boat owners has not changed that much. There are the mad keen sailors who want to race every weekend, families who want to spend time with their children and to help them broaden their experiences, and those who set out with friends or family, hoping to get the most out of their boat, which is the apple of their eye... And one of the greatest ...

This article appeared in issue 148. To read the article in full, buy this issue individually